Salaga fire festival turns tragic: One dead in self-inflicted stabbing, 4 injured by gunfire
One person has died and four others sustained gunshot wounds during the Fire Festival celebrations in Salaga on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The deceased, identified as Shehu, a resident of Mallam, reportedly died after suffering severe cutlass wounds during a traditional display believed to test spiritual protection. According to eyewitnesses, he successfully endured two earlier attempts, during which two cutlasses were broken. However, the third attempt resulted in fatal injuries.
In a separate incident, four people sustained gunshot wounds when a celebrant allegedly discharged a firearm, accidentally hitting passers-by near the Salaga Roundabout during the festivities.
The injured persons were rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment. Their current conditions remain unknown.
Police are yet to issue an official statement on the incidents, while investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding both the fatality and the shooting.
The annual Fire Festival, celebrated in parts of northern Ghana, attracts large crowds and features various traditional and cultural activities. However, concerns have often been raised about safety during some aspects of the celebrations.
The death of Shehu adds two to the number of people who openly died displaying spiritual powers in Ghana this year after the youth chief of Ayanfuri also accidentally died in a gunshot.
Story by Ibrahim Abode SALAGA FIRE FESTIVAL TURNS TRAGIC: ONE DEAD IN SELF-STABBING, FOUR INJURED BY GUNFIRE
One person has died and four others sustained gunshot wounds during the Fire Festival celebrations in Salaga on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The deceased, identified as Shehu, a resident of Mallam, reportedly died after suffering severe cutlass wounds during a traditional display believed to test spiritual protection. According to eyewitnesses, he successfully endured two earlier attempts, during which two cutlasses were broken. However, the third attempt resulted in fatal injuries.
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In a separate incident, four people sustained gunshot wounds when a celebrant allegedly discharged a firearm, accidentally hitting passers-by near the Salaga Roundabout during the festivities.
The injured persons were rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment. Their current conditions remain unknown.
Police are yet to issue an official statement on the incidents, while investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding both the fatality and the shooting.
The annual Fire Festival, celebrated in parts of northern Ghana, attracts large crowds and features various traditional and cultural activities. However, concerns have often been raised about safety during some aspects of the celebrations.
The death of Shehu adds two to the number of people who openly died displaying spiritual powers in Ghana this year after the youth chief of Ayanfuri also accidentally died in a gunshot.
Story by Ibrahim Abode
Edem Kwame
Edem Kwame is a journalist at GH News Media covering news and national developments in Ghana.
